Police appeal over fugitive

Mrs Hooley failed to answer bail

Police hunting an Essex woman over charges relating to the death of her estranged transsexual husband believe she may be in Scotland.

Suffolk Police - in liaison with officers in Strathclyde - are appealing for information on Alison Hooley who has been sighted in Motherwell.

Mrs Hooley broke bail while waiting to face trial on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and assisting an offender in relation to her husband Brian's death.

Her brother, Charles Halfacree, admitted the manslaughter of Mr Hooley at Norwich Crown Court on Monday.

Alison Hooley had been bailed to appear on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and assisting an offender.

Charles Halfacree: Admitted manslaughter

She failed to turn up and Suffolk Police say they had a call on Friday suggesting she is in Motherwell.

Brian Hooley, 28, had a sex change operation in 1994 and was known as Christine Chappel after a character in the TV series Star Trek.

The court was told that Mr Hooley died after a brawl at a house in Roxwell, Essex.

His body was stripped, bound with chains and floated out to sea on a lilo.

It washed up at Kessingland, Suffolk four days later and police launched a murder inquiry.

Initially it was thought to be that of a woman but eventually it was identified as the body of Brian Hooley.

Officers want anyone who knows the whereabouts of Mrs Hooley to call them on 01473 613500.